Apparatus for washing automotive and machine parts and assemblies



Oct. 8, 1968 H. w. PAUL 3,404,695 APPARATUS FOR WASHING AUTOMOTIVE AND MACHINE I PARTS AND ASSEMBLIES Filed May 16, 1966 United States Patent O 3,404,695 APPARATUS FOR WASHING AUTOMOTIVE AND MACHINE PARTS AND ASSEMBLIES Herbert W. Paul, Eden, Idaho 83325 Filed May 16, 1966, Ser. No. 550,351 1 Claim. (Cl. 134-135) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A compartmented, foraminous tray has a pair of fixed brackets extending laterally from one side and an elongated bolt on the opposite side adjustable between a retracted position allowing the tray to be immersed in an open-topped receptacle containing cleaning solvent and an extended position wherein the tray is supported by the brackets and bolt on the upper edge of the receptacle and above the solvent.

This invention relates to a device for washing automotive and machine parts and assemblies.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide apparatus in which a mechanic who is disassembling an automobile or other engine can immerse the parts in a suitable cleaning solvent, and drain and dry the cleaned parts while maintaining them at all times in classified groups, thereby preventing confusing the parts and facilitating their reassembly after the cleaning operation has been completed.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view and FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the presently described washing apparatus; and

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2

As shown in the drawings, the presently described apparatus for washing automotive and machine parts and assemblies includes an open-topped receptacle indicated generally at and defined by a bottom 12, opposite side walls 14, 16 and opposite end walls 18, 20. The receptable is of substantial proportions and is adapted to be filled with a quantity of cleaning solvent such as gasoline, naphtha, or carbon tetrachloride to a predetermined level indicated at 22 in FIG. 3.

A tray, indicated generally at 30 nests in receptacle 10. It may be alternately lowered to an immersion position below the level 22 of solvent in the lreceptacle and raised to an elevated draining position above that level, which is its position in all the figures of the drawings.

Like receptacle 10, tray 30 is open-topped and includes a bottom 32, opposite side Walls 34, 36 and opposite end walls 38, 40. It may be fabricated from gauge cold rolled sheet iron having %4 inch holes 42 punched at suitable intervals through its bottom on suitable spacings.

A plurality of partitions 44, 44a divide tray 30 into a plurality of compartments having sizes appropriate for the reception of parts and assemblies of varying size and number.

Tray 30 is provided with means for supporting it in its elevated draining position.

The supporting means comprise a plurality of spaced brackets 46 extending outwardly from one side 34 of the tray and dimensioned to clip over the upper edge of the same in the manner shown particularly in FIG. 3.

Cooperating with brackets 46 is a retractable bolt 48 slidably mounted in guides 50 fixed to the side wall of partition 44a.

Bolt 48 is arranged for reciprocation between a re tracted position wherein it clears adjacent side wall 16 of receptacle 10, and an extended position, illustrated in the drawings, wherein it extends beyond the plane of side wall 16 and engages the upper edge of the latter. When it is in this position, a detent or stop 52 on its end prevents its inadvertent retraction.

To facilitate manipulation of the tray, handles 54 are provided one on each of its opposite side walls 34, 36.

To use the apparatus, the compartments defined by partitions 44, 44a are filled by the mechanic with various engine parts and assemblies, keeping the parts arranged in the desired order. With bolt 48 retracted, tray 30 is immersed in receptacle 10 until the parts lie below the solvent level, indicated at 22. The parts are soaked in the solvent for the desired length of time, with alternate raising and lowering of the tray to increase the cleansing action of the solvent. When they are clean, the tray is elevated, brackets 46 hooked over side wall 16, and bolt 48 extended to its position of engagement with the upper margin of side wall 16. This holds the tray and its contents in their draining position, in which position they are maintained until dry and ready for use.

It accordingly will be seen that there is provided an apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted for the conditions of practical use.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for washing automotive and machine parts and assemblies comprising:

(a) an open-topped receptacle defined by opposite sides and a bottom, and adapted to be filled to a predetermined level with a quantity of cleaning solvent,

(b) a compartmented, forarninous tray dimensioned for lowering and raising in the receptacle between immersing and draining positions,

(c) the compartments being sized. to contain a plurality of automotive and machine parts and assemblies in assorted, classified arrangement,

(d) a pair of fixed, spaced apart brackets extending laterally from one side of the tray and arranged for releasable engagement with the top margin of the adjacent side of the receptacle,

(e) an elongated bolt on the opposite side of the tray disposed between and substantially coplanar with the brackets and arranged for reciprocation in a plane normal to the adjacent side of the receptacle for adjustment between a retracted position permitting lowering of the tray to its immersing: position within the receptacle, and an extended position engaging the adjacent top margin of the receptacle when the brackets engage the opposite top margin of the receptacle, maintaining the tray in its `draining position, and

(f) detent means on the outer end of the bolt arranged for engagement with the top margin of the receptacle when the bolt is extended, preventing its inadverent retraction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,048,862 12/1912 Nesbitt 134-135 2,318,842 5/1943 Eaton e 134-135 2,594,192 4/1952 McArthur 134-135 XR 2,675,012 4/1954 Scales 134-135 XR 3,129,714 4/1964 Schaefer 134-201 3,250,283 5/ 1966 Reinfeld 134--92 ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner. 

